Patagonia Dan Ross Surf Camp Wraps Up at Casuarina

Dan Ross with the camp participants

Dan Ross executes his skills in the surf

(Wednesday June 29, 2011, Coolangatta, QLD): PROFESSIONAL surfer Dan Ross (Yamba, NSW) played mentor to a mixed group of junior surfers at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre (HPC) over the weekend, with his Patagonia Daniel Ross Surf Camp wrapping up. Kids from all across the country were all smiles as they asked Ross about his life on the tour and his personal training tips. Participants were put through an extensive HPC program which included; warm up and preparation strategies for heats, physical training programs, video analysis of every surfing session, and heat simulations and strategies. Ross, 30, is renowned for his superior fitness and competition strategies that give him the edge in close competition. He has coached the Red Bull team including Julian Wilson and Sally Fitzgibbons and his training programs are known to help surfers to achieve their best competition results. “I guess one of the aims of attending the camp is to pass on the knowledge that I have learnt over my surfing career to the next generation of junior surfers,” said Ross. “I remember when I was a young surfer, I took every chance I had to have a chat and learn from pro surfers. Even if just one bit of information I give the camp participants sinks in, that information can be used for the rest of their life.” “Most of the principals that we have discussed during the camp the surfers will be able to apply to their surfing straight away and hopefully begin to grow as a result.” “I am stoked to have the opportunity to work with the next generation of surfers at my own surf camp. All the participants were at such a good level, especially the girls. They were really pushing their surfing out in the water and I was really impressed”. Participants of the Patagonia Daniel Ross Surf Camp included: Arree Fielding (QLD) Chris Zaffis (NSW) Duke Nagtzaam (WA) Noah Sievert-Kloster (QLD) Keely Andrew (Qld) Tyrone Reynolds (Qld) Michael Baker (Qld) Luca Rauvenheimar (Qld) Dane Fox (NSW) Jasper Hancock ( NSW) Alex Byrne (NSW) Sam Poncini (Qld) Laura Poncini (Qld) Chiana Ireland (Qld) The Patagonia Daniel Ross High Performance Camp was proudly supported by Surfing Australia, The Australian Sports Commission, Suncorp and Patagonia. Each camper also received an individual goodies pack supplied by Patagonia for attending the Patagonia Daniel Ross High Performance Camp. For all camp bookings and further information please contact James Eggington (HPC Manager) or visit www.surfingaustralia.com. Phone: (02)66749868 Email: james@surfingaustralia.com Media Contact: Jake White, Surfing Australia, M. 0422 987 069 E.jake@surfingaustralia.com

Just in Case...

Glen Casey on the rail at Winki

Patagonia Australia's Glen "Case" Casey doing everything right in his Patagonia Hooded R3 wetsuit, channelling a bit of TC on his Wayne Lynch stick at Winkipop...

Head Coaches (Gary and Samba) at the Surfing Australia HPC will be frothin' the hand tap at the apex of this sick bottom turn... 

Perfect brother, yew! Wack it!

Talkin' nutrition with the Baddy...

David "Baddy" Treloar talks the importance of refueling and nutrition whilst on tour in the deep south of Vicco...

The good old black doctor to wash down a cheeky chocolate hedgehog 101, making Rossy proud

HPC Baked Beans & Spagetti..

Dan Ross sharing the love for the Dan Ross Patagonia Surf Camp at the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre...

More shots and stuff to come...

Save the Waves T-Shirt...

GET YOUR PATAGONIA STW SHIRTS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!

This year’s Save The Waves Patagonia t-shirts are selling out quickly, so get yours before it’s too late. The shirts are 100% organic cotton, feature original artwork by Chris Del Moro, and help support the cause. They are available in cool colors and in both Mens and Womens.
 
BUY IT NOW

WORLD SURFING RESERVES... New Site!

World Surfing Reserves recently launched a brand new, standalone website for the growing initiative. WorldSurfingReserves.org creates a permanent home for World Surfing Reserves, a global collaboration launched by Save The Waves Coalition, in conjunction with National Surfing Reserves Australia and other partners. Photo: www.carlsteindler.com
 
CHECK OUT THE NEW SITE

West Coast Cooler...

Some of the footage of Dan Ross and Dustin Hollick from a recent Surfing World story...

RV there yet...?

This little power-house (literally) is everything you need in less than 500ftsq and then some... 
Its fully mobile and can be easily moved from location to location, but looks much more comfortable than a typical motor home or caravan... But wait there's more, its jam packed with sustainable and design features, David Suzuki tells more...



For more info go to Sustain Design Studio - miniHome

Its NOT Rocket Science...

As our collective governments bickers about Carbon Tax, Mining Tax and popularity (checking their pole status, facebook and twitter accounts)... And we cop exuberant price hikes on fuel and electricity, and become focused on affordability and survival... Our Oceans are dying, fast!!!

The strange irony is that as "we" strive scientifically and economically for eternal life, we're killing the very planet which gives us life...

THREATS - Climate Change, Over Fishing, Habitat Destruction, Extraction, Pollution & Species Introduction are just a few of the growing and immense pressures placed on the Ocean's each and every day. The Ocean's are quite literally the lungs of the planet and with out them we will surely perish...

SOLUTION - Reduce CO2 Emissions, Vastly Improved Fisheries Management & Mass Marine Reserves...

Read the blow story for a wake up call...

'Shocking' Oceans Report Warns Of Impending Mass Extinction

June 20, 2011

If the current actions contributing to a multifaceted degradation of the world's oceans aren't curbed, a mass extinction unlike anything human history has ever seen is coming, an expert panel of scientists warns in an alarming new report.

The preliminary report from the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) is the result of the first-ever interdisciplinary international workshop examining the combined impact of all of the stressors currently affecting the oceans, including pollution, warming, acidification, overfishing and hypoxia.

"The findings are shocking," Dr. Alex Rogers, IPSO's scientific director, said in a statement released by the group. "This is a very serious situation demanding unequivocal action at every level. We are looking at consequences for humankind that will impact in our lifetime, and worse, our children's and generations beyond that."

The scientific panel concluded that degeneration in the oceans is happening much faster than has been predicted, and that the combination of factors currently distressing the marine environment is contributing to the precise conditions that have been associated with all major extinctions in the Earth's history. 

Read the full story here...

And CLICK to view the interactive graphic...

Solstice...

Yesterday was the shortest day and longest night of the Southern Hemisphere's winter, the Winter Solstice. Opposite for our northern neighbours...

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky, as viewed from Earth, reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes. 

The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction... 

Check out the Zeitgiest Movie Chapter on Sun & Religion below, interesting...

Wilderness...

Chris Brock c 1969

Backyard BBQ Bliss - Wilderness Style

 “The first photo here is of Chris Brock shaping in one of the rooms in the old farm house at Palmers Channel (inland from Angourie) that was the Wilderness factory. The second is of a BBQ in the back yard… from the left, Garry Keyes Robert and Di Conneeley in the front, Terry Keyes blowing on the fire and his girl friend of the day on the right. George Greenough in the background. Both taken around 1969 I’m pretty sure.” – John Witzig

INT SRF DAY...

Now in its seventh year, ISD has grown to over 200 separate events in over 25 different countries.  From paddle-outs to beach clean-ups, surf movie nights to mangrove restorations, surfers across the world will be coming together on June 20^th 2011 to both celebrate the sport of surfing, and to give something back to the oceans, waves and beaches that give us all so much.

Read More www.intlsurfingday.com/

Sand Mandala...

I had the pleasure of watching one of these amazing creations being skillfully made by Tibetan Monks at the last Splendour in th Grass at Byron Bay a couple of years back...

This too shall pass...

Peace

Range_e...

LAND ROVER REVEALS ITS FIRST FULLY CAPABLE 4WD PLUG-IN DIESEL HYBRID...

 

March 2011

1. Range_e: Land Rover advanced plug-in hybrid diesel technology debuts at Geneva Motor Show 
2. Low emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency: Range_e capable of delivering 89g/km CO2 emissions and a fuel economy of 2.7l/100kms (85mpg)
3. Electric range: over 32 km range in all-electric EV mode
4. Hybrid programme: Land Rover announces intention to launch first diesel-electric hybrid in 2013
5. Land Rover 4WD capability:  First fully capable 4WD plug-in hybrid diesel

Geneva, 1 March 2011 – Land Rover’s on-going commitment to building vehicles that are more fuel and emissions-efficient reaches another milestone at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with the first presentation of Range_e. This development model is equipped with an advanced plug-in hybrid diesel-electric powertrain that Land Rover expects to make available in future production models, following the scheduled launch of its diesel-electric hybrid in 2013.

Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 180kW 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel engine, working with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system, with a 14.2kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source, Range_e can be driven on electric power alone for more than 32 kilometres, with zero harmful tailpipe emissions.

A full recharge from a standard domestic power supply can be accomplished in around four hours. Typically the majority of European car drivers cover less than 40 kilometres a day and therefore the EV range offered by this technology will support the majority of short urban journeys, where fuel economy and emissions are of prime concern. However, for longer journeys the diesel hybrid drivetrain will engage and continually optimise CO2 emissions.

Overall CO2 emissions are just 89g/km, yet Range_e has a maximum system output of 250kW and a top speed of around 193km per hour, delivering a fuel economy of 2.7l/100km (85mpg). Improved fuel efficiency from the hybrid system makes 1,100 kilometres possible on a full tank of fuel.

Range_e is also engineered with the same full 4WD capability as the standard Range Rover Sport, with high and low range in the transmission, front and rear differentials and a mechanical locking centre differential. Dependant on the driver demand, the car's intelligent system decides the most efficient method to deliver the power required, whether this is by electric, diesel or both. The Range_e also features regenerative braking to capture energy usually wasted in heat energy via the brakes. This energy can then be redeployed to drive the vehicle, further reducing fossil fuel consumption.

John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: "This system is the first example of a premium plug-in hybrid that also provides the full four-wheel-drive capability that you would expect from a Land Rover.  It is an evolution of the production intent diesel-electric hybrid technology which will be launched in our next generation of SUVs and will be available for customers within the next two years."

Land Rover in Partnership with CABLED

The Range_e is one of a number of Land Rover projects supported by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board and five prototype models are currently engaged in a test programme with Land Rover’s fellow members of the CABLED – Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators – consortium. Land Rover anticipates its plug-in hybrid system will be brought to market in the near future, following on from the debut of its first standard diesel-electric hybrid models from 2013.

Pete Richings, Chief Engineer Hybrids, said: "We started the Range_e fleet trial in December 2010 and we have so far covered 19,000 kilometres on the trial between the five test vehicles. We are gathering invaluable real world data that will enable us to refine the technology ahead of introducing a production vehicle."

Land Rover continues to recognise the need to work on all aspects of our CO2 footprint such as reducing weight, reducing mechanical losses and increasing powertrain efficiency and our hybrid technology represents one part of the research and development journey.

Jaguar Land Rover is committed to spending £800 million on environmental technologies and has targeted a 25 per cent reduction in its fleet average CO2 emissions between 2008 and 2012.

March 2011

Extreme Make Over - Sea Shepherd style...

A time lapse video of The Bob Barker getting its new paint job.

We had the pleasure of boarding the vessel at about a month ago at the grey undercoat stage (1:00min mark), if you look closely you can see Slinky with brush in hand...

Good luck on your next mission in Palau saving the protected sharks...

Peace

No need to be Koi...

Original art by Patagonia Ambassador Kim Diggs!

This Quark Fish by www.fcdsurfboards.com/ has had the Kim Diggs magic touch, it seems the posca pen is mightier than the sword...

Say NO to single use bottles & bags...

FM friend Kyle put together another great video. This one hits on single-use plastics, their ubiquity and why we should avoid them. Bringing your own bag and using your own water bottle are simple steps that can make a big impact.

World Ocean Day...

It was World Oceans Day on Wednesday the 11th of June 2011, just gone, and its disappointing that it didn't appear to make mainstream media in Australia...

Our Oceans are being hit harder with waste than ever before and plastic now out weighs plankton...

Just this year in Australia alone, think of all the extra plastic and toxic waste that ultimately ended up in our waterways and oceans as a result of the terrible flooding and cyclone activity...

Where does it all go??? In the Oceans, out of sight and out of mind until its too late!!!

Its time for us to change our habits and not buy or use disposable plastic...Every piece of plastic that ends up in the ocean stays in the ocean, forever or until a marine bird or animal eats it...

From majestic flight...

To spectacular hunting display....

To ironic art spectacle display...

The Albatross is one of the most majestic of birds who often circumnavigate the world at amazing speeds (fastest ever recorded is 46 days) with minimal effort riding the winds and the waves. They eat primarily from the surface and pray on bright shinning marine life... that is until human waste has filled the see with plastic...

Bottled Water Bottles - 1500 per sec!!

One...

One can make a difference...

Make a real difference and join www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/en/

Bombora on iView...

Watch the entire program free on ABC iview at http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/series/3230846

And keep an eye out for the FRESH MULLET image featuring in the opening...

A definitive history of surfing in Australia as told by our surfing champions, writers, pioneers, entrepreneurs, mavericks, legends, drop-outs and drop-ins. Narrated by Jack Thompson. Featuring interviews with Tim Winton, Layne Beachley, Nat Young & Mark Occhilupo. With music by The Atlantics, Jet, The Cruel Sea & The Velvet Underground..

Discover more at www.screenaustralia.gov.au/showcases/bombora
&
DVD available at
http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/productsubset.asp?productid=996447&SearchID...

Where are we again..?

Are you sure..?

 CONTEMPLATE

Time & Place... Rhyme & Space... Slow & Pace... Soul & Face...

THINK ABOUT

Left & Right... Day & Night... Blind & Sight... Wrong & Right...

CONSIDER

Happy & Sad... Mum & Dad... Good & Bad... Sane & Mad...

COUNT

to Ten & then back again... 

What time is it..? Where are we..?

Close your eyes & close your mind... 

Stop all thought... Thought abort...

Open your eyes & minds eye... 

Now, look again...

More Taxes, anyone..?

Perhaps the first law of business is that maximizing profit is a top priority. Large, multinational corporations like GE have taken this mantra to the furthest extreme, pinpointing federal taxes as a big drain on their revenue stream and doing everything in their power to avoid them. Though they don’t technically break the law, they do push it to its limits: moving business offshores and exploiting every tax loophole in the book are central strategies. Understandably, this infuriates many people: after all, shouldn’t the biggest moneymakers our great nation has to offer also be some of its biggest financial contributors? Sadly, these companies don’t see it this way: they’re out for numero uno, no matter the cost to the American people. Here, we explain exactly how they go about it.

Source: onlinemba.com

It appears tax evasion is easy if you have the money... No wonder the government is attempting to force yet another tax on us...

...Image how much less tax we'd need to pay if these types of companies where proud to contribute in our future instead of destroy it...

...Imagine a new paradigm, where the measure of wealth was sustainability and how much you contribute or give back is as addictive as gambling and as competitive as greed....

...Imagine a world where Profit without Social and Environmental contribution is just considered shameful/selfish and Super Profit is just pointless/senseless, completely irresponsible disregarding our past present and future.

The race to riches is a sure and fast track to nowhere. Everyone I know who is rich are some of the saddest people I know and in contrast some of the happiest people are less fortunate, or are they..?

Ronald on the fast track... and the biggest real estate group...

The Brigette Bardot...

The one and only... There's no doubt that BB floats our boat, but now she floats the Sea Shepherd fleet.

SS's fast interceptor and scout vessel, the Gojira, has received a new paint job and a new name! Honoring a longtime friend of SS and someone who played a critical role in bringing the world's attention to the need to protect harp seals off the coast of Canada, SS has proudly announced The Brigette Bardot...

From this, the Gorija...

To this, The Brigitte Bardot

Figurehead of BB on the bow

Also, Operation Blue Rage kicked off this week with two of SS vessels heading from the port of Toulon, France bound for the waters of war-torn Libya. Read More http://www.seashepherd.org/blue-rage-2011/

   

Much poorer without Cash...

Johnny Cash - Hurt (Video) 

The final Johnny Cash video ever made must be one of the best video's ever made...

The haunting Nine Inch Nails cover Johnny sing and his ability to connect through music is as amazing as the video its self...

Rest in Peace Mr Cash!

Below are the tabs, so he can live on thru ya geetar...

HURT. By Johnny Cash

Verse 1:

  C      Dsus2    Am     C      D       Am
I hurt myself today   to see if I still feel

  C     Dsus2   Am        C    D            Am
I focus on the pain   the only thing that's real

    C      Dsus2   Am         C      D      Am
The needle tears a hole   the old familiar sting

       C       Dsus2 Am           C      D    *G (*start chord strums)       
Try to kill it all away   but I remember everything

Chorus:

Am             F        C            G
What have I become?     My sweetest friend

Am          F           C          G
Everyone I know   goes away in the end

    Am                F       G            G
And you could have it all     My empire of dirt

Am              F     G        -      *Am  (*return to finger style)
I will let you down   I will make you hurt

Instrumental transition: (see intro)

Verse 2:

  C         Dsus2    Am        C      D      Am
I wear this crown of thorns   upon my liar’s chair

C       Dsus2   Am        C     D     Am
Full of broken thoughts   I cannot repair

  C         Dsus2      Am         C       D      Am
Beneath the stains of time   the feeling   disappears

C       Dsus2    Am    C     D          *G   (*start chord strums)       
You are someone else   I am still right here

Chorus:

Am             F        C            G
What have I become?     My sweetest friend

Am          F           C          G
Everyone I know   goes away in the end

    Am                F       G            G
And you could have it all     My empire of dirt

Am              F     G                G
I will let you down   I will make you hurt

  Am              F        G              G
If I could start again   A million miles away

Am             F     *G               (*one single strum only)
I would keep myself   I would find a way

Retire Ronald...

Yeah, clowns and fast food, its all sounds like a joke to me and do the kids really want it?

I"ve noticed that the recently installed Bus Shelter Ads for the large multinational fast food chain have been defaced, which is a great indicator to the mood and acceptance here in Yamba... 

I wonder how much they have actually contributed back to the community in sports grants etc, like they promised in their council campaign... None I know of...

Please continue to support the local slow food community of cafes and restaurants where you get real food and real service. There's nothing good about eating fast food!

Peace

No Cash here Chopper...

Snubbed... by more coastal development...

We all need to do our www.seashepherd.org part to save these guys, apparently there's only 1000 left in the wild...

Water.org

A brief overview of the water crisis, and what Water.org is doing to effect change.

Co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, Water.org is a nonprofit organization that has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Water.org traces its roots back to the founding of WaterPartners in 1990. In July 2009, WaterPartners merged with H2O Africa, resulting in the launch of Water.org. Water.org works with local partners to deliver innovative solutions for long-term success. Its microfinance-based WaterCredit Initiative is pioneering sustainable giving in the sector.